The Top 5 Most Common Causes of Varicose Veins

Many people struggle with varicose veins, even if they exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Though venous disease can happen to anyone, here are five of the most common causes of varicose veins.

1. Obesity

Being overweight places additional stress on veins and vein valves.

2. Changes in Progesterone and Estrogen Levels

Taking birth control pills, pregnancy, and menopause can cause drastic fluctuations in hormone levels resulting in a relaxing effect on vein walls. When sustained, this effect can also weaken vein valves, resulting in varicose and spider veins.

3. Sedentary Lifestyle/Prolonged Standing

Regularly standing or sitting for prolonged periods force leg vein valves to work harder at pumping blood upward to the heart. Years of habitually sitting with your legs crossed or bent may exacerbate the development of varicose veins by preventing blood from flowing normally in and out of the legs. If you work at a desk, make it a point to get up and walk around throughout the day – your veins will thank you!

4. Genetics

According to research, certain inheritable genes may affect vein function. Daughters of mothers with varicose veins have about a 60 percent chance of eventually suffering varicose veins, especially if one or more risk factors apply to them. Men may also inherit the condition, and pass it on to the next generation.

5. Aging

Veins and vein valves, like all other components of the human body, experience normal wear and tear as we age. People more than 35 are especially susceptible to varicose veins, since they have typically been affected by other risk factors by this time, such as weight gain, pregnancy, taking birth control pills, or working at jobs that require them to sit or stand for long periods.

Less common causes of varicose veins include chronic conditions that force a person to strain for extended periods, such as constipation, urinary retention/enlarged prostate and chronic coughing, as well as trauma or surgery to the legs.

Treatment Options at VeinInnovations

As noted e, there are some risk factors for varicose veins you can control and some you can’t. The key is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to have your existing varicose veins treated earlier rather than later. Earlier treatment may result in less treatment! Our specialists can dramatically reduce the pain and swelling, as well as the appearance, of varicose veins using one of several minimally invasive or treatment options. If your vein problems are “medically indicated”, which can be determined by an ultrasound study of your legs, your insurance may well cover treatment. If you are over 65 and have Medicare, it is important to note that Medicare does cover medically indicated vein treatment.

Contact VeinInnovations today to find out more about our many treatment methods, and to arrange for an appointment. We can help you decide which treatment is best for you!